How Often Should You Take Japanese Lessons? And What Is the Best Way to Study Japanese?

こんにちは! I’m Yuki sensei.

In my lessons, students often ask me the same questions:

• “How often should I take Japanese lessons?”

• “What kind of study should I do outside of class?”

These are very important questions, so in this article I’d like to share my thoughts on lesson frequency, effective Japanese study methods, and how to stay motivated.

This article is especially for you if:

• You are thinking about starting online Japanese lessons

• You are not sure if your current study pace is right

• You want to continue learning Japanese long-term

1. Manage Your Own Learning Process

The most important thing in language learning is to take ownership of your goals, plans, and progress.

When studying feels like something you are forced to do, it is hard to continue. But when you feel:

“This is my own decision,”

your motivation changes dramatically.

Set Clear and Concrete Goals

When I study languages myself, I always start by setting clear goals. For example:

• Score 800 or higher on the TOEIC test in three months

• Be able to explain my opinions clearly to international clients

(TOEIC is a globally well-known English proficiency test.)

Once the goal is set, I:

1. Check my current level through practice or mock tests

2. Analyze what is missing (vocabulary, grammar, listening, expressions, etc.)

3. Create a study plan to fill those gaps

Even if you are not studying for a test, you can still set practical goals such as:

• “Express my thoughts clearly without being misunderstood”

• “Reduce the number of times people ask me, ‘What do you mean?’”

The goal does not need to be impressive.What matters is that it is specific and easy for you to imagine.

2. Lesson Frequency Depends on the Person

Many students ask:

“How many lessons per week should I take?”

My honest answer is:

It depends on the person.

That’s because everyone has different:

• Goals

• Personalities

• Living environments

• Opportunities to use Japanese

  
  

My Own Experience Learning English

I personally learned English without studying abroad or taking online conversation lessons.

The reason is simple:

• I am not shy

• I was in an environment where I had to use English regularly

As a student, I used English by talking with foreign teachers at school. As an adult, I communicate in English almost every day with:

• Patients

• Colleagues

• Clients

When I cannot express something well,

I:

• Look up the words and expressions later

• Rewrite the sentence I wanted to say

• Try using it the next time I meet them

I have repeated this process for more than ten years.

Because of this environment, I don’t need to actively seek out English speakers for practice.

Who Benefits Most from Online Japanese Lessons?

On the other hand, online lessons are extremely valuable if you:

• Do not live in Japan

• Rarely have opportunities to speak with Japanese people

• Feel nervous talking to strangers

• Are discouraged by mistakes

Some people gain motivation from failure.Others are deeply affected by it.

There is no “correct personality” for language learning.What matters is finding a lesson frequency and style that fits you.

Real Examples of Lesson Frequency

Here are some real examples from my students:

• Once a week (60 minutes): focused on output and conversation

• Twice a week (30 minutes): checking how to use learned expressions

• Once a month (1–2 hours): reading and explaining books or materials

• Before a trip: practicing only necessary travel phrases

Some students take lessons several times a week, while others take one lesson every three months.

I keep lesson records for one year, so as long as you don’t disappear for over a year, you can always restart your lessons smoothly (don’t worry haha).

3. How to Stay Motivated in Japanese Learning

The key to successful Japanese learning is:

Consistency

Clarify Your “Why”

Ask yourself:

• Why do I want to learn Japanese?

• What kind of person do I want to become using Japanese?

Try to imagine your future self as clearly as possible.

Engage with Japanese Culture and Society

• Watch Japanese content on social media

• Enjoy Japanese dramas, anime, or YouTube

• Plan a trip to Japan

Interest fuels motivation, and motivation sustains learning.

Build Small Success Experiences

• A phrase worked naturally

• Your message was understood

• You spoke more smoothly than before

These small successes build confidence and lead to the belief:

“I can speak Japanese.”

My Japanese class is designed to support exactly this process.

4. Final Thoughts: Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and Language Learning

I am also a registered nurse, so I’d like to briefly mention Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.

Self-actualization sits at the top of human needs.Learning Japanese is part of becoming the person you want to be — an act of self-actualization.

However, higher-level needs cannot be fulfilled if lower-level needs are unmet.

If you are:

• Physically exhausted

• Emotionally unstable

• Living in an unsafe environment

it is natural that studying becomes difficult.

Please take care of your body and mind first, and then move step by step toward your ideal self through Japanese learning.

About My Japanese Class

In my online Japanese lessons, I help you:

• Find the best lesson frequency for you

• Build effective study methods

• Create a sustainable learning plan

If you’re interested, feel free to try a free trial lesson.

I look forward to seeing you in class!